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Biography

Sara joined the firm in 2000, concentrating her practice in bankruptcy law and financial restructuring, with special emphasis in creditor rights, preferential transfer and fraudulent conveyance law, reclamation rights and deepening insolvency; commercial transactions; utility law; banking law; and electronic stored-value card law. She has represented secured and unsecured creditors in large and complex Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases, and has developed a national bankruptcy practice.  She has also handled large preference and fraudulent conveyance actions in numerous jurisdictions throughout the United States, defending creditors in many of today’s largest Chapter 11 cases; including, the Chrysler, Enron, Tower Automotive, Federal Mogul, Collins and Aikman, Delphi, Dana, Calpine,  Smurfit Stone, Lyondell Chemical Company, Circuit City, Flying J,  Nortel, RadioShack, Toys R Us, hhGregg, Macaroni Grill, Westinghouse, Sports Authority, Eastern Airlines, American Airlines, Ryan International Airlines and Aloha Airlines bankruptcy cases.  Sara has also served as a mediator in preference claim actions.

Sara has represented utility companies, logistics and transportation companies, chemical companies, health care clients, manufacturers, suppliers, banks, and electronic gift card issuers.

Sara leads the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity’s Mentorship program for all of Frost Brown Todd’s offices in participating cities, and assists with the firm’s internship program for Central High School’s Law Magnet program.  Sara is also heavily involved in the firm’s training and development of new associates.  Sara is a recipient of the Frost Brown Todd Diversity and Inclusion Award (2014), and a two-time recipient of the Frost Brown Todd Mentor of the Year Award (2004 and 2008).  She is also a past member of the firm’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee and the past editor-in-chief of the Financial Restructuring Group Newsletter.

Other Info About Sara

Education

Law School

University of Louisville, Louis D. Brandeis School of Law, J.D., 1990, magna cum laude, Valedictorian

Undergraduate School

University of Louisville, B.A. in Political Science, 1986, summa cum laude

In law school, she was the recipient of numerous academic awards, including the Samuel L. Greenebaum Writing Award, and was elected to the Brandeis Society. Sara was also the 1985 and 1986 recipient of the Jean & Eleanor O’Sullivan Award, awarded by the University of Louisville Political Science Department.

Bar Memberships

Sara is licensed to practice in the following state(s):

Kentucky

Courts

Sara is admitted to practice before the following court(s):

United States District Court – W.D. KY, 1990

Sixth Circuit, 1990

Recognition

Local & National Recognition

Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell®

Frost Brown Todd Diversity and Inclusion Award, 2014

Frost Brown Todd Mentor of the Year Award, 2004 and 2008

Professional Affiliations

Professional Affiliations & Memberships

American Bar Association

Kentucky Bar Association

Louisville Bar Association, 1990

American Bankruptcy Institute Member

Brandeis Society, Member

Woodcock Society, Member

Pre-Law Mentorship Program, Member

Civic Activities

Civic & Charitable Organizations

Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, Louisville City Lead

CentreStage Theatre Board, Member

Play Selection, Sub-Committee of Board, Member

Producer’s Club, Member

St. Francis School Diversity Task Force, Member

Firm Committees

Sara serves or has served in the following leadership role(s) at Frost Brown Todd:

Training and Development Committee, Member

Diversity & Inclusion Committee, Member

Presentations

Sara was invited to speak at the following events:

Client Bankruptcy Training: Frequent presenter of Bankruptcy 101

Co-Author: The Toolbox for Managing Your Financially Troubled Customer, Sara L. Abner and Olivia K. Snider; Kentucky Trucker, Official Publication of Kentucky Trucking Association, July 2018

Speaker: Women Trailblazers in the Legal Profession, The Speed Museum Cinema, Presentation in connection with RBG Film, Louisville, Kentucky, June 2018.

Co-presenter: Preferences in Bankruptcy
Charles R. Keeton and Sara L. Abner, seminar outline and client advisory.

Major Publications

Sara is an author or contributor to the following publications:

Co-Author: The Toolbox for Managing Your Financially Troubled Customer, Sara L. Abner and Olivia K. Snider; Kentucky Trucker, Official Publication of Kentucky Trucking Association, July 2018

Editor-in-Chief:  Financial Restructuring Group Newsletter, October 2001-present.

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